Customer Reviews

Wild Rose (Wild Rose Series #1) (Steeple Hill Women's Fiction #15)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

What can I say? It's been a few months since I read an advance copy of this book, but thinking of it still makes me smile. Though I read a lot of contemporaries, there's nothing like a good historical. And boy does this book fit the bill. From the first page as the vegetables fly onto the wharf, you are captured by the story. I was enthralled that my daughters asked me to read it aloud to them. Thankfully, I could! We all collapsed in a group hug dashed with tears at the end. Don't miss it.

When I'm in the right mood, I enjoy reading Christian romances. I like Contemporary novels, but if I am given the opportunity to combine my love of history with my love of reading, well that's even better. I came across this book in my local public library and thought it sounded interesting from the back cover. I wasn't familiar with this author, but I'm always open to reading new authors. This book pulls you into the story by the end of the first chapter. I like that the heroine is insecure and in hiding at the beginning. I loved watching her blossom and gain self-confidence as the book progressed. This is a thoroughly enjoyable love story and also a believable one. The characters in this story come alive and you find yourself caring about what happens to them. This book deals with some difficult topics with sensitivity and yet in a way that is realistic. That is a very difficult combination to find in Christian books. I would highly recommend this book to others.

I definitely plan to check out other books by this author in the future.

Lisa

When I first picked up this book, I was unsure of how to accept it, considering this is the author's first novel. After reading a few chapters, my concerns were the writing style not being one that I'm used to, the characters not being your typical Christian romantic leads, and the setting not being one that you read of very often. But I was pleasantly surprised - this book was beautifully and carefully written. The relationship between the hero and heroine is built constantly, but gradually. It's not "love at first sight," it's a growth, which to me is much more realistic and all the more endearing. To add to my high esteem for this book, the Christian conversions for both characters was not rushed or preachy, it was penned perfectly. I even teared up a time or two, and I am not a crier, especially not for books. But this was a beautiful story that I will be buying soon so that I can enjoy it over and over again. Morren's books are hard to come by in my area, but I am looking forward to reading her other books if they are anything like Wild Rose.

I am a book-a-holic. I have owned this book for two years and just now realized I haven't reviewed it. By now other reviewers have already posted the synopsis and I need not share it again. But I can't pass up the opportunity to share a little about this book.

This is a book that sweeps you away-- a taming of the shrew tale-- a cinderella story-- but one in which she finds so much more than a glass slipper. Geneva and Caleb are not perfect but they are perfectly written. You become one with the characters and share the pains and passions with them. It is a book that you can read over and over again and not get tired of the story (if, of course, you are that type of person! Which I am...at least, I am with this book). I can read a good book twice. This book I have read at least 5 times and each time, though I knew what was to come, I was still as eager to watch it unfold as I was the first time.

Ruth Morren is a gifted writer who writes wonderful books. I have liked all of them and loved most of them. This, though, is my favorite. If you have not read it yet, I suggest you do. You will be charmed and stirred.

I loved this story from the first chapter, and I anxiously await more novels from Ruth Axtell Morren, who shows tremendous potential in this book. The story is extremely compelling, and though there really isn't much action in the book, the constant interaction between Geneva and Caleb keeps you interested at all times. The romance is gradual, not too rushed, and I was thankful, as I've read one too many Christian romances where the romance is forced on you in the very first chapter in one "love at first sight" moment. I would definitely recommend this book to others, and I can't wait to read more from Ruth!

Wild Rose is a delightful love story. It is a tale about two unlikely misfits, Geneva Patterson and Captain Caleb Phelps.
Geneva grew up in a small coastal town, Haven's End, Maine. Her mother died when she was young and her harsh father raised her. Upon his death, Geneva was left alone. She lives a solitary life selling fish and produce to the local villagers. Her large retriever, Jake, is her only companion.
Caleb Phelps, raised in Boston in his father's shipping business has had every advantage offered him. Yet, he is forced into solitary life by his stubborn refusal to turn his cousin in for crimes that Caleb is suspected of. He moves to Haven's End to start again.
When the two meet, a slow friendship develops. They help each other's loneliness and over time love grows. Like a wild rose growing in the field, their loves bears the pain of many thorns and must weather difficult storms, but when it blooms it carries the sweetest fragrance of all.
Ruth Axtell Morren wrote for the heart of all who have found themselves on the outside of the group at some point in life. Pick up this book for a wonderful excursion into the lives of Caleb and Geneva.

This is one of those books I can go back to again and again.
Geneva and Caleb are characters that make you love them. Though I can't relate to the circumstances, I felt empathetic toward Genevas as she faced the perceived disdain of her hometown and her attempts to befriend her neighbor. Caleb's willingness to embrace the future after the dissertion of his fiance' takes a while, but is worth the wait.

As a big fan of Christian fiction (contemporary and historical), I am constantly seeking talented authors willing to speak of God's hand in our lives. In each of her books I've found Ruth Axtell Morren living up to my expectations. Winter is Past, Wild Rose and Lilac Spring are among my favorites in the genre. Can't wait to read Dawn in My Heart.

I loved her debut novel Winter is Past, this one is also excellent! The two primary characters are very well developed as is the story of how two wounded, lonely individuals become friends. This story is rich in details of Maine coastal life .It's just a thoroughly enjoyable read!

Morren is an excellent storyteller. Wild Rose will keep you turning pages until the satisfying end.

Geneva Patterson--"Salt Fish Ginny" to the townspeople of Haven's End--has only herself and her faithful dog Jake to rely on. Ever since her father's death, she has taken care of herself by selling vegetables from her garden and fishing. Dressed like a man in overalls and hat, she hopes to avoid those who would compromise her.

A careless prank by some youngsters while on the pier, throws Geneva in the path of Captain Caleb Phelps, heir to the Phelps shipping empire headquartered in Boston. Caleb is enamored by his fiance, Arabella Harding, and barely notices Geneva, though he offers her kindness by helping her when no one else would.

After Caleb is suspected of a crime against his father's company, Arabella leaves him for another. He returns to Haven's End, hoping to hide out until the scandal blows over and he's more sure of his future. Little does he know that there is just as much gossip in Haven's End as he left behind in Boston--or that his nearest neighbor is the girl he rescued on the pier so long ago.

A friendship is born when Geneva helps Caleb with his garden. It grows into something more when Caleb discovers the delicate wild rose hiding beneath men's overalls. But will his past overshadow the tentative hope for a future with Geneva? Will Geneva's social standing and rough upbringing keep her from a relationship with Caleb? Can she learn to trust the God that Caleb and his friend Mrs. Bradford have told her about?

Morren's excellent use of internal monologue, dialogue and setting draws the reader straight into Haven's End and doesn't let go until the very end. The conflict between hero and heroine is poignant and well handled. Both characters struggle to overcome their past, and Morren uses these struggles to paint a picture of the God who wants to draw them near.

Armchair Interviews says: If you love historical romance, you won't be able to put this novel down. Highly recommended.

This is not a time period I normally read but gave it a try due to the high ratings and the fact that I have enjoyed Morren's books in the past.

It's set in the 1870's in Maine. Miss Geneva Patterson lives alone after her parents death. She happens to meet Captain Caleb Martin by accident and then he later decides to move to Haven's End, Maine. I enjoyed this book because there is such a depth to these characters that makes the book so much more believeable. Miss Patterson learns about God through Caleb's friend, Mrs. Bradford. The romance betweeen the hero and heroine grows over time and doesn't feel rushed.

A lovely and well written book, I will definitely read it again.